A little work goes a long way

GROWINGGARDENS Youth Grow Program is currently in its second year of its partnership with Faubion K-8, located in the Concordia neighborhood of Northeast Portland. This past fall, Youth Grow Staff worked with the Garden Committee at Faubion to develop a plan for improving the visibility of the school’s garden space. The group decided to plan a work party in early December to bring together the school community. The Garden Coordinator and School’s Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) Manager, as well as several parents, teachers, and GROWINGGARDENS staff offered to help with preparations, including obtaining materials (such as wood chips and wood to use to frame the garden paths) as well as connecting with a nearby church to get access to an indoor space for parents and kids to use during the work party. And, most admirably, Lily, a very committed Faubion SUN Garden Club student, offered to go with the SUN Manager to meet with the principal to request bulletin board space in the school, and she and her sister offered to help at the work party.

The work party took place on a chilly Saturday in early December, and despite the foggy winter weather, the party was a great success. Ten parents, students, school staff, and community members attended. The work party participants helped rake and remove debris, removed asters, dug and replanted native plants, and built new garden paths. There were also many chances to drink cocoa and tea, color butterflies, and snack on treats made by the Faubion Garden Coordinator (and baker extraordinaire). In the end the group was surprised at how much work they were able to accomplish-and how much better the garden looked after only a day of work!

The winter term of Faubion SUN School Garden Club is just getting started, and the students and teachers are getting excited to learn and grow in their new and improved garden space. Stay tuned for more updates!